Discover castles in Sweden – perfect for a weekend break
Looking for a weekend getaway in Sweden? Across the country, castles and manor estates offer ideal settings for a trip. Here, history and atmosphere go hand in hand, allowing the experience to unfold at its own pace. This is a selection of castles in Sweden worth seeking out, whether the plan is a day trip, a weekend, or simply a desire to experience a sense of history firsthand.
Sweden is home to a wide range of castles that bear the imprint of a time when the country was shaped by kings, queens and the nobility.
Today, each one offers its own perspective on Sweden’s history – from castles defined by royal grandeur to more tranquil settings close to nature.
A visit allows you to experience history where it unfolded and engage more closely with its stories, all within surroundings framed by distinctive architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Kalmar Castle
For anyone with an interest in Swedish history, Kalmar stands out as a natural destination. This is where Kalmar Castle is found – the site where the Kalmar Union between Sweden, Denmark and Norway was formed in 1397 under Queen Margaret. The town became a key centre for politics, power and diplomacy in the Nordic region. With its towers, grand halls and surrounding moat, the castle draws you into both the Middle Ages and Sweden’s era as a great power, brought to life through exhibitions, guided tours and immersive historical settings.
Explore Kalmar
Kalmar offers a well-balanced mix of culture, a seaside setting and charming neighbourhoods. Wander through the cobbled streets of the old town, take in the views across the Kalmarsund strait, or pause at one of the town’s cafés and restaurants. Krusenstiernska Gården is a well-preserved 19th-century town garden, where paths wind through greenery, historic buildings and a setting shaped by another era. Kullzénska Café is also worth a visit for a relaxed coffee break. To extend the experience, cross the Öland Bridge by car to Öland, where the landscape opens up and the sense of history continues at a different pace.
Accommodation in Kalmar
A stay in Kalmar finds a welcoming, home-from-home setting at Home Hotel Packhuset, with views over the water and close proximity to the town’s main sights. The experience is designed for comfort and ease, with breakfast, fika and dinner included in the rate.
Sofiero Castle
Sofiero Castle and its surrounding gardens are located just outside Helsingborg and rank among Sweden’s most popular and well-regarded visitor attractions. The former royal summer residence overlooks the Øresund strait. Stroll through the beautifully maintained gardens, where award-winning landscaping, vibrant flowerbeds and winding paths framed by rhododendrons set the scene. Guided tours, exhibitions and concerts are also held here, with the castle providing an atmospheric backdrop.
Explore Helsingborg
Make the most of your visit with a trip to Helsingborg. The city brings together coastline, culture and a lively atmosphere in a setting that is easy to explore on foot. At Gröningen, there’s space for both a picnic in the open air and a swim in the sea, while Fredriksdal Museums and Gardens offer insight into the area’s history and everyday life through the years. From the medieval tower Kärnan, set in the heart of the park, Slottshagen, views open out across the city and the Øresund strait – on clear days, all the way to Helsingør in Denmark on the opposite shore.
Accommodation in Helsingborg
By the waterfront, Clarion Hotel® Sea U offers striking views across the sea, while Home Hotel Grand in the city centre provides a more homely setting – with breakfast, fika and dinner included. Both hotels make it easy to explore Helsingborg’s sights and experiences.
Drottningholm Palace
Drottningholm Palace lies just outside Stockholm and ranks among Sweden’s most well-known landmarks. It is the permanent residence of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws visitors from around the world. Inside, grand state rooms, expansive palace grounds and notable attractions such as the Drottningholm Palace Theatre and the Chinese Pavilion create a setting shaped by history and royal tradition.
Explore Stockholm
A visit to Drottningholm can easily be combined with time to explore Stockholm. Here, the royal setting meets the pulse of the capital – from the historic streets of Gamla stan to shopping, dining and cultural experiences of international calibre.
Getting there from central Stockholm
Drottningholm is located just outside central Stockholm, making it well suited to a trip during a weekend stay. Take the metro to Brommaplan and continue by bus, or travel by boat from Stadshuset on Kungsholmen, where the journey itself becomes part of the experience with views across the city from the water.
Castles nearby
Several castles near Stockholm are also worth exploring. Ulriksdal Palace in Solna is known for its palace gardens and popular café setting. On Djurgården, Rosendal Palace offers a central yet nature-close location. Also worth a visit is Skokloster Castle, situated between Stockholm and Uppsala and considered one of Europe’s best-preserved Baroque castles.
Gripsholm Castle
Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred is one of Sweden’s most iconic castles and a popular visitor attraction. Set on the shores of Lake Mälaren, the castle features historic halls, scenic surroundings and the renowned portrait collection, showcasing figures from different periods of Swedish history. It is also home to the well-known lion Leo – a taxidermy lion from the 18th century, notable for its unusual appearance. Today, it remains one of the castle’s most talked-about attractions.
Explore Mariefred
Make the most of your visit to Gripsholm Castle by exploring more of Mariefred. This charming lakeside town on Lake Mälaren is well suited to a day trip or a short weekend stay. Wander along cobbled streets, pause at local cafés, or simply take in the views by the water. A visit to Östra Södermanlands Railway is also worthwhile – Sweden’s oldest heritage railway, where you can ride historic steam trains.
Accommodation in nearby towns
Combine a visit to Gripsholm with a hotel stay in Södertälje or Eskilstuna. In Södertälje, options include the family-friendly Quality Hotel™ Park Södertälje or The Dock for a more refined experience. Eskilstuna offers good-value stays at Comfort Hotel™ Eskilstuna and Home Hotel Bolinder Munktell, where breakfast, fika and dinner are included.
Örebro Castle
Örebro Castle is one of Sweden’s most vibrant castles, set in the heart of the city and surrounded by the waters of the Svartån river. Here, medieval surroundings meet engaging exhibitions and activities suited to both children and adults. Explore towers, dungeons and halls, where you can admire portraits of kings and queens.
Explore Örebro
Örebro offers more than just the castle. Its central location makes it easy to combine a visit with other sights around the city. Take a walk to Wadköping and the City Park for coffee, lunch or a picnic, enjoy the views from the old water tower Svampen, or head out to the Oset and Rynningeviken nature reserve.
Accommodation in Örebro
For more than a day trip, consider an overnight stay at Clarion Hotel® Örebro in the city centre, or Home Hotel Borgen, set in a scenic location by the Svartån river, where breakfast, fika and dinner are always included.
